Milford Receives Tongue-Lashing Over Apartment Vote: Report

MILFORD, CT — If you haven't heard by now the Planning and Zoning Board's decision to approve a 168-unit apartment complex on Plains Road didn't sit well with some folks. It's not atypical for local residents to approve large density projects, but what is unique here, is that the strong opposition comes from non-residents, especially politicians in other communities.

The backstory is that the PZB decided to reverse itself and approved the apartment complex after originally voting no because the project didn't include some affordable units. The developer, Robert Smith, doesn't build affordable housing units and inevitably the board did approve his proposal for upscale units.

The reason the city wanted some affordable units as part of the project is because it's trying to obtain a moratorium on affordable housing proposals. The General Assembly recently approved changes to the state's affordable housing statute, which makes it easier for Milford to obtain the moratorium. If Milford can add more affordable housing units it will be very close to securing a four-year moratorium.

State Rep. Larry Butler, D-Waterbury, who helped get the changes to the affordable housing statute that Milford officials wanted, came to Milford recently and blasted the city's approval of the apartment complex minus affordable housing units, the Milford Mirror reports.

Butler said he was troubled by the PZB's vote, the Mirror reports, and that is why he drove to the city to express concern. He urged Milford leaders to work to develop affordable housing in the city.

“You can prove that my believing in you was right,” Butler said, according to the Milford Mirror. “Please prove me right. This one housing development isn’t worth Milford’s credibility."

Other top leaders in Hartford have also blasted the Milford PZB over its decision to approve the apartment plans without insisting on affordable housing as part of the application.

Read the full Milford Mirror story here.